Zero-Slump Pumpable Concrete via Inline Admixture Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional concrete technologies face challenges in creating a zero-slump, pumpable concrete that can be easily placed without forms, while maintaining structural integrity and achieving rapid setting for vertical construction applications.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for producing zero-slump pumpable concrete using an inline fluid injection and mixing device, which introduces an admixture into the concrete mix to enhance thixotropy, allowing it to be pumped and placed without forms, using a low-powered concrete or grout pump, and achieving rapid setting with minimal admixture addition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional concrete mix is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but it cannot be pumped without forms and requires high power equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the concrete mixture parameters by adding specific admixtures (viscosifying agents, air-entraining agents, set accelerators) to change the rheological properties of the concrete, enabling it to be pumped without forms while using low-powered equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite concrete mixture combining cement, aggregates, water, and multiple admixtures to achieve the desired properties of pumpability, zero slump, and rapid setting simultaneously
2Ease of operation
If zero slump concrete is created, then it can be placed vertically without forms, but rapid setting capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the chemical composition parameters by incorporating set accelerators alongside viscosifying agents to achieve both zero slump for vertical placement and rapid setting capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a composite mixture that integrates multiple functional admixtures to simultaneously achieve zero slump consistency and accelerated setting without compromising either property
3Ease of operation
If admixture is added to enhance thixotropy, then pumpability improves, but concrete composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the concrete composition by adding specific admixtures to change the rheological parameters, enhancing pumpability through controlled thixotropy development
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the creation of zero-slump pumpable concrete that can be pumped and placed vertically without forms, providing strong, impermeable structures with rapid setting capabilities, suitable for various construction projects, including multi-story buildings and civil engineering projects.
Implementation Method 1
introduces an admixture into the concrete mix to enhance thixotropy
Implementation Method 2
achieving rapid setting with minimal admixture addition
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices, are developed for in-situ placement of a concrete mix that can have the thixotropy to hold vertical dimension without containment, while maintaining pliability to be pumped into place and manipulated to a desired shape, and can be combined with concrete set accelerators, allowing subsequent layers of this concrete mix to be continuously stacked in place to build tall walls and such without the use of forms. Concrete without these special properties is pumped toward the point of placement where it is modified by injecting and mixing, into that line of pumped concrete, an admixture containing thixotropes, thickeners and/or set accelerators or other modifiers to provide these properties and other improvements. This method allows conventional plant batching with commonly available constituent materials for batching an economical concrete that is delivered to a jobsite and then is pumped most of the way to a point of placement.